Make other forums visable to, but not accessible by, all people

[slapshotw]

Hi HG staff,

I'd like to suggest that you make the existence of the rest of the forum areas visible to all people, but keep them so only customers can actually go in and view. I've seen a few other vBulletin forums do this so I know it's possible. Right now, they're completely hidden.

I think this would clear up the confusion a lot of unactivated members have about where to post, and make it clear to everybody that there's more to the forum and give them a good reason to participate.

Thoughts?

Sincerely,
Matt

[Jordanlw]

I agree this would be good,
Or even a sticky in another thread explaining it all.

[gtgeorge]

Yes I agree that users should be able to that there are other forums available to them. Many never realize there are forums outside of the ones they see. Good suggestion

[rez]

I didn't know there were other forums until reading this. So I logged in. So, I agree with this because of experience.... and feel slightly stupid because i remembered other forums in the past which is why I came back.
Anyway, i almost left, I'm glad I caught this thread.

So yeah, there could be people with knowledge/contributions that are unaware. Me? I bring questions and problems, sorry.

[slapshotw]

Bumping my own thread.

Hostgator staff-- we see so many threads with people saying "are there support forums?". You need to let people see the existence of the support forums even if they can't actually read the threads and posts in there. This way, they will instantly know to request access (and become aware of the huge community here!).

[cleanxhost]

I think to make all the forums/threads visible to anyone but posting only to approved members... which equals in a reduction of spam...
That's my input anyway...

[GvilleRick]

I would agree that being able to view all areas would be better with posting only available before full activation in the Reviews and Pre-Sales area. Being able to view all threads after initial registration would help folks to be able to find the answers to so many of the common questions.

[slapshotw]

There's really two choices here:

1. Make all threads visible, not postable, by everybody
2. Make the forums themselves visible, but don't let visitors see threads and posts in them (so they'll know it exists).

In my opinion, either is better than what we have now.

[gwyneth]

Originally Posted by Jordanlw

I agree this would be good,
Or even a sticky in another thread explaining it all.

If people (even those with full access) won't even read and heed the category descriptions, it doesn't bode well for a sticky.

I vote for Matt's option one (all visible and readable, but not writable) instead of option two...for several reasons.

First, it seems that at least half of the pre-sales questions and suggestions in the past few months have been post-sales questions that could be answered by reading and searching the other categories.

Second, this would allow members who for whatever reason don't want to or can't log in during a particular session to read them.

Third, it would vastly reduce the urgency of granting full access to new members.

And fourth, while just showing they exist would be be a good promotion tool, letting prospects read them would be much better for sales. IMO, the forum is one of HG's real assets, but that's not fully apparent until you start reading and searching.

[Rockoids]

I agree, actually, that all forums should be made visible to anyone, including guests. There is nothing here that's proprietary, and a lot of content that would make people feel more comfortable about this company. Occasionally they screw up, but they almost always make things right.

[Germz]

I actually thought about suggesting this but everytime I suggest something in a forum I end up getting banned or with an infraction.
I agree with you completely. They should allow people to view all the forums and not be able to reply on them.

[Serra]

Sorry, got to go contrarion on this one. Google indexes all of the pages on this form that are public. Why would HG want all of the great posts to be available to everyone? Lets keep the good stuff for customers (or past customer) only.

Eliminating the time it takes to get verified would eliminate the problem. Not opening up the forum to everyone.

.....just my opinion...

[Germz]

Serra, the names will be read but people won't be able to access the specific page or forum.

[gwyneth]

Originally Posted by Germz

Serra, the names will be read but people won't be able to access the specific page or forum.

That would depend on whether and how HG implemented which settings.

[slapshotw]

Originally Posted by Serra

Sorry, got to go contrarion on this one.

But I assume you'd be happy with my choice #2, right? At least let people see the forums exist, but none of the posts within them?

[kmaw]

I see there is a new notice on the main page for unregistered users.

[gwyneth]

Originally Posted by kmaw

I see there is a new notice on the main page for unregistered users.

Dumb question--which main page? HG main? Support (the old text support page with the forum link?)

[Sam]

Originally Posted by gwyneth

Dumb question--which main page? HG main? Support (the old text support page with the forum link?)

http://forums.hostgator.com/index.php

You are currently either unregistered (not logged in), or a visitor (unverified HostGator customer). There are many additional forums available to registered members with active HostGator accounts.Unregistered and/or unverified accounts can only see the basic, public forums. If you have an active HostGator membership, please register here on the forum. Once your account is reviewed and verified, you'll have access to the rest of the support forums. Thank you.

[gwyneth]

Sam, your telepathy continues to amaze me. I saw your first link (index) which I'd already tried, then just as I figured, oh of course, I'd have to log out to see anything, there was your pasted text (for the benefit of those of us who are stay-logged-in-slackards).

Thanks!

[GatorPatrick]

I'll have Wes check out this thread tomorrow, thanks for the great suggestions guys.

[gwyneth]

Originally Posted by GatorPatrick

I'll have Wes check out this thread tomorrow, thanks for the great suggestions guys.

There's a related suggestion "Pre-hatchling forum group," too, with its own thread.

[Serra]

Originally Posted by slapshotw

But I assume you'd be happy with my choice #2, right? At least let people see the forums exist, but none of the posts within them?

Yea, that would be fine. I just would be careful not to allow people to post or view threads that aren't registered. It would dilute the value of HG's board by making it public.

[GatorWesley]

Originally Posted by Serra

Yea, that would be fine. I just would be careful not to allow people to post or view threads that aren't registered. It would dilute the value of HG's board by making it public.

I agree with Serra on this one. There are a lot of great threads on here that we really don't want available to the general public and other companies that may read our forums.

I will bring this up to Brent though, he will need to make the call on any major forum changes like this.

[slapshotw]

Originally Posted by GatorWesley

I agree with Serra on this one. There are a lot of great threads on here that we really don't want available to the general public and other companies that may read our forums.

vBulletin lets people see forums exist without actually reading the threads in them. They'd be listed on the front page but post counts get marked "private" and anybody trying to enter them is restricted.

[Milly]

I didn't realize there were other forums here. I filled in my info. How long does it take to get verified?